With the 45 nm Phenom II AM3 architecture, AMD is able to offer two highly competitive mainstream dual-core processors: the Phenom II X2 (Callisto), and Athlon II X2 (Regor). The Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition chips not only serves as a notable sub-$100 choice for mainstream consumers, but also offers good value to overclockers with an unlocked bus multiplier, and with the right tools, the potential to unlock disabled physical cores. With its prime competitor from the blue camp being Pentium Dual-Core E5000 and E6000 series, Intel decided to up the stakes with a low-cost overclocker-friendly dual-core processor labeled Pentium Dual-Core E6500K, the company's first FSB multiplier-unlocked 45 nm dual-core chip.

Based on the 45 nm Wolfdale-2M core, the E6500K boasts of a default clock speed of 2.93 GHz (11.0 x 266 MHz). The bus multiplier is unlocked, leaving room to play with it. Placed in the Pentium E6000 series, the chip has a FSB frequency of 1066 MHz, compared to its E5000 cousins that sport 800 MHz FSB. Aided with a 2 MB L2 cache, the E6500K is expected to go head-on against competing AMD chips. Currently available in China for RMB 1299 (converts to $190) as part of bundle with Biostar T-Series TP45E motherboard, the E6500K is expected to retail soon for US $89. Incidentally, the "K" in E6500K refers to "black" in digital imaging jargon.

Hmm might be interested in this. Can't get my E4500 past 3.2GHz, wonder if I could get one of those higher. Don't really want to splash out on new board and memory, and dual core does me fine at the moment. At that price point I am very tempted for when it's available.

by: ZubasaOr grab a PII 550BE that can protentially unlock to a quad and also with unlock multi?

I wouldn't gamble on unlocking. Despite what it seems like, it is rare to be sucessful. And even more rare to be sucessful and stable, especially on a chip with two of the cores disable. The chances of having a defective core are enormous.

by: AltecV1i would still prefer the 550 Black Edition ! it might unlock extra cores and has more cache:p nice try intel but you fail:rolleyes:

The extra cache doesn't really help it. With the E6300 already nipping at the heels of the 550BE with a lower clock speed, this E6500K at stock should equal or surpass a 550BE, and out overclock it also. Seems like hardly a fail to me.

by: devguyI wouldn't say Intel fails...

On the contrary, this is good news all around. It shows that Intel is finally feeling some pressure from AMD after all these years. Thus, more and better choices for the consumer!
:toast:

///////This////// Competition = win for consumers.

I'm just happy to see Intel releasing unlocked chips at budget prices...not that they have really needed to...

The E6500 is a good idea from Intel however they have made a slight flaw in my opinion, the new CPU would have a bigger impact on socket 1366, despite the E6500s cheap price on socket 775 Intel are beating a dead horse, a lot of people with low end E-series will probably hit up to 3.5 GHz anyways. Even if the E6500 is able to reach 4 GHz on stock cooling will its performance benefit be any more beneficial than a E5200 at 3.7 GHz?, most probably not.

On socket 775 I could only see this chip benefiting people with pre-core 2 CPUs, for example upgrading from an existing Pentium D to the E6500 with the sole intention of overclocking to near 4 GHz, but for people with core 2s or for new builds this CPU offers very little.

by: DarrenThe E6500 is a good idea from Intel however they have made a slight flaw in my opinion, the new CPU would have a bigger impact on socket 1366

Wolfdale is not possible on LGA-1366, it's not as like porting Prescott from s478 to LGA-775. LGA-1366 platform won't see a sub-$100 processor. Currently less than 1% of Intel's users use LGA-1366, so it wouldn't have made a bigger impact even if it was possible. The cheapest motherboard starts around the $160 mark.

what about that doesnt sound like some great OCs will come from thsi cpu?

its kin to the e7XXX and e8XXX cpus that have hit upwards of 5-6ghz.

why so much doubt in this cpu?

amd ppl need to GTFO of this thread if they are going to come in here and flame.

Nobody is attacking you, they are attacking your narrow views, its your right to dislike AMD but you've offered no justifiable reason to dislike the company. For example if you said "I dislike AMD because they do not offer enough value for money" one could argue this to be correct and perhaps agree with you to a certain extent. But know one can/will agree with you if you offer no explanation.

I'm pretty natural, I've had AMD and Intel amongst other CPU manufactures in the past, I couldn't give a rats ass whether AMD or Intel is the favourite, I want cheap value for money, even those Intel are not offer value for money today in comparison to AMD I still respect Intel and I have no hate for the company, once they get the value for money together I'd be happy to jump ship to Intel.

Like I said, I like the E6500k, but I would love to see it on socket 1366, Intel already have many overclockable and respectable cheap CPUs on socket 775 already, let the dead socket die. At least if this was on socket 1366 money conscious people could buy it now, then upgrade to the i7 in a year when prices come down.

Edit:

btarunr, so saying that you dislike AMD or any other company without a "valid expanation", correct without an explanation period isn't flaming too?